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Possibly getting a new computer/laptop..; Update, got one!
Topic Started: Feb 14 2009, 01:46 PM (422 Views)
kady05
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So after I found out how much I was getting back from my tax return the other day, I thought, hmm, I really need a new computer.

I have a Dell desktop currently, Windows XP, it's probably at least 7yrs. old. Honestly, it's not THAT bad. But it's definitely old, and I'd like to move up in the technology world.
My main use for my computer is the internet. I don't play any games or anything. I do have an Ipod, so iTunes is necessary; I have probably 2500 songs on my computer currently. I also have a lot of pictures to store. I know the majority of new computers come with a ton of space to store stuff on, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I'm trying to decide that if I do this, if I want a laptop or another desktop. I've never been a 'laptop person', but I'm starting to think it'd be nice to have one. If I got a laptop, I'd still be able to keep my current computer up & running if I wanted (if I got a new desktop, my current computer would have to be moved to make room). I also like how the majority of laptops have built in webcams now, since my boyfriend is in Japan til late March/early April and that's how we're communicating currently.

Also, I've been debating about getting a Mac, or sticking with a Dell, HP, etc. I love my Dell, I've really never had any major issues with it. But Mac's are the 'new thing', and everyone I've talked to loves theirs.
My only concern with getting another Dell is the Windows Vista thing.. I've used it once before, and didn't have an issue, but I've heard mixed reviews. My concern with a Mac would be that I've never used one, and I'm worried I'd be totally lost.

So I guess here's a breakdown of what I'm asking:

- Do you prefer a laptop or desktop?
- What brand do you have, pros, cons, price?
- Mac vs. PC?
- Windows Vista thoughts?
- Anything else?

I'd like to spend no more than $1500. Hopefully I covered everything, if not, let me know!
Edited by kady05, Feb 22 2009, 06:57 AM.
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Buryinghill1
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No idea. have a 3year old Dell that I don't ask much of - no bells & whistles.

What's left over put in a ROTH IRA CD ;)
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thetoothpick&oliveshow
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-Definitely prefer a laptop
-I have a Sony Vaio. Mine was around $1300, but I also have a 3 year warranty that added quite a bit to the price. Its a great laptop.
-I absolutely WOULD NOT get Vista. Even if it means waiting for Windows 7 to come out later this year. Any and all of the problems (including several very nasty viruses) that my computer has had have been caused by Vista.
-I prefer PC's. However, if you do a lot of graphic design work, a Mac can't be beat. Although, Mac's do tend to be slightly more expensive.
-Good luck with whatever you pick! I hope this was helpful.
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FlashGordon
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GET A MAC!!!!!!! :)

They don't get viruses, they never break (ok, well almost never!) My first iBook lasted 5 years. Even when it did finally bust, the screen went..... I was still able to power it up and transfer all my files via USB to the new Mac.

They are so easy to use, everything is intuitive. And you never need to load software for things like cameras, etc.

I own them for graphics purposes as I am a graphic designer but I would never own anything else... love them....
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CBoylen
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Avoid Vista like the plague. It's a huge, huge PITA.
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kady05
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CBoylen
Feb 14 2009, 04:34 PM
Avoid Vista like the plague. It's a huge, huge PITA.
Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. My boyfriend said it's a huge program and takes up a lot of space. But, you can buy a new laptop (HP, Dell, whatever), and downgrade to XP for like $100 I think.

I think I'm going to go to Best Buy soon and talk to someone about everything. BF said that his friends new HP laptop has pretty much the same specs as his other friends Macbook does but it was about $800 including warranties, etc., whereas the Mac base price starts at $1200.
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Smiles
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Get a lap top.... It portable and space saving. I would also recommend going with a smaller screen lap top. The new ones they have out now are so much nicer and I actually prefer them to the bigger screen. Vista addition 2007 is the one with all the problems, so as long as our get the newer software you should be fine.
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Fish Cheeks
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I just went through this and I'll tell you what I got.

Mr. Fishy has a Mac, so I used it for a while while I was making my decision to do Mac vs. PC (mine broke). I went back to the PC. I use it at work and I found the lack of the "right click" and Windows-type set up a PITA when transferring to home use. Also, I email a lot of files back and forth with my work email address and it was just easier to stick with a PC for that reason.

I also got a laptop. I mostly sit on the couch and use my computer, but when I do some more serious work from home I take it in another room or to the kitchen table and work there. Portability is a must, IMHO.

I didn't want to spend over $1000.

I got an HP G60-120US Notebook. I LOVE IT!!! It has Windows Vista, which has taken a bit of getting used to and can be a little bit of a PITA with all the pop-up boxes, but it isn't too bad. I has an AMD Turion X2 processor, a webcam, digital media reader, CD burner, and more stuff that I'm sure I don't know about. It is very sleek and smooth and I love the keyboard.

With an extended warrantly plan, shipping, software, it was just over $1000. I am so glad I got it vs. deciding to get my old one fixed (again).
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Boston
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I LOVE my macbook. I was on the fence weather to get a laptop or a desktop and I'm SO glad I went with the laptop. I take it with me when I travel, it's so nice to have in hotel rooms and stuff.
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jn4jenny
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kady05
Feb 14 2009, 05:33 PM


I think I'm going to go to Best Buy soon and talk to someone about everything. BF said that his friends new HP laptop has pretty much the same specs as his other friends Macbook does but it was about $800 including warranties, etc., whereas the Mac base price starts at $1200.
Firstly, let me say that I don't think PC's are evil by any means. For a lot of folks with basic needs like yours, a PC laptop is just what the doctor ordered. And as you said, the prices are generally lower.

But here's some cautions from someone who "went Mac and won't go back".

Firstly, if you get a laptop of any brand, you need to plan to buy the warranty. Laptops are, by their nature, more likely to operate in stressful conditions and get knocked around, and that is hard on their fragile components. The hard drive in a laptop is probably no more fragile than the hard drive in a desktop, but the one in the desktop doesn't get jostled around in a purse. Even worse news: laptops are difficult and expensive to repair. So if you buy a laptop, definitely budget for the warranty. Dell, Toshiba, and IBM/Lenovo have great warranty programs, as does Apple (called AppleCare).

If you decide to go Mac, the truth is that most folks LOVE Mac OS X once they get used to it. As my friend told me when I bought a Mac, "You will hate it for a week. Then you will adore it and be super pissed the next time you have to use Windows". But if you don't love it, it's very easy to install Windows on a Mac machine. I share your hatred of Vista, so I have my Macbook double booted to Mac OS X and Windows XP. To switch from the other, all I do is press the "option" button on the keyboard when I heard the startup chime, and the computer asks me which OS I want to load.

In terms of the cost and specs of Macs, be very careful comparing Mac specs to PC specs. They are NOT the same--because of the way the processors and motherboards work, a 2.0 Ghz Mac will absolutely smoke a 2.0 Ghz PC. Here's a sample comparison done by Popular Mechanics to show you the difference:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/reviews/4258725.html?page=3
The reason I point this out is because most people radically overbuy their first Mac. You see these people walking around with Macbook Pro's who came from PC Land and genuinely thought they needed 2.8 Ghz of power. The truth is that in Mac land, if you want greater speed, you add RAM, not processing power. For your needs, the cheapest machines Apple sells will more than suit your needs. Seriously.

Whatever you decide, Mac or PC, www.notebookreview.com is a great site to fill you in on the nitty gritty of any given model. It tells you the stuff you really want to know, like "This might look like a cute laptop on the Dell site, but the keyboard is totally uncomfortable" or "This is a really powerful machine, but forget about putting it directly on your lap because it's so warm it'll practically set you on fire."

Finally, a word about your $1500 budget. This is not the year 2000. Honestly, if all you do is Skype your boyfriend, use MS Office, check email, browse the Internet, and maybe edit the occasional digital photo, a $400 laptop would get the job done for you. Everything above that price is bells, whistles, warranties, and fun features. If you don't take your computer too seriously--and it sounds like you don't--just get a $700 PC laptop package with a great warranty and save the other pennies for a trip to Japan.

Good luck!
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FlashGordon
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Kady are you still in school?? You can get an educational discount on a Mac if you are. You can always buy very nice machines refurbished, for less cost, and they run just as well as "new" machines!

(not that I'm trying to sway your decision or anything.... ;) )
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kady05
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Thanks for taking the time to write all of that out jn4jenny! That was super helpful

Boyfriend did say what you said about a Mac working differently than a PC, I think he was just trying to get me to realize that I didn't necessarily have to spend $1200 on a laptop if I didn't want/need to.

Sounds like Macs are similar to Blackberries, in the 'I HATE IT' for a week catagory. After I got my BB Pearl, I wanted to take it back in the first few days because it was so freaking weird compared to my little Nokia. Now, I'll never have another 'normal' phone, I'll always have a Blackberry, so I totally get what you mean there.

I did not know you could put Windows on a Mac, interesting. I'm pretty new to all of this new computer stuff, so thanks again for writing all of that. I know some of the basics, but when it comes to speed/memory/etc., it's just easier to say 'I want the best', you know? But if I don't need to spend more than say, $800, then by all means I don't want to!

And you're right, I don't really do all that much on my computer. I'm on the internet, I download/listen to music, talk on Skype (and once BF gets home, that'll be non-existent), and edit the pictures (I use Paint Shop Pro) I take. That's pretty much it! My main thing is that I want it to be fast. My brother just got a Dell laptop (not sure what kind), and is running Vista. The thing is insanely fast. I didn't get to mess around with it much though, but he loves it.

I'm going to go read on the sites you included to try to help me out. This is when I wish the BF was here, as he helps me with all this stuff! I'll figure it out though, and will update when I do. I get my tax return in about a week, so hopefully I'll have something by the end of this month :)

And Flash - no, I'm not in school.. kind of.. didn't stick with that for very long after I graduated high school in '05. That'd be nice though!
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CDE Driver
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I just thought I would throw this out with the big fat caveat that I have no idea what I am talking about :innocent:

I was talking to "my computer guy". He is great and keeps my laptop running really well. He told me that there is a trojan (I think that is what he called it) that infects Macs. It doesn't do anything to them but folks that are in the know have been watching it for a few years. Apparently what they think is that at some point whoever did it will activate it and it will wipe out all the Macs.

Like I said, I have know idea what I am talking about when it comes to computers, but that is what he told me.
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thetoothpick&oliveshow
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Reiterating one more time for you to avoid getting Vista. Vista recently went corrupt on my computer, I lost all of my music and pictures that were on it (luckily most of the important pics are backed up on Facebook), and it STILL isn't working properly. Also- WARNING: Windows 7 (coming out later this year) is Vista with "tweaks". All of the computer wiz's I know are saying to downgrade to XP. Some programs may not work with the computer, but at least you'll know that you'll have a computer that is reliable.
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kady05
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thetoothpick&oliveshow
Feb 15 2009, 11:03 AM
Reiterating one more time for you to avoid getting Vista. Vista recently went corrupt on my computer, I lost all of my music and pictures that were on it (luckily most of the important pics are backed up on Facebook), and it STILL isn't working properly. Also- WARNING: Windows 7 (coming out later this year) is Vista with "tweaks". All of the computer wiz's I know are saying to downgrade to XP. Some programs may not work with the computer, but at least you'll know that you'll have a computer that is reliable.


Yeah, I'm not sure what I'll do. I know 3 people personally that have Vista and love it & have had no issues with it, but I'm still weary of it because of some of the things I've heard about it. Why haven't you downgraded to XP if you're having so many issues with Vista?

I do think I'm leaning towards getting an HP or Dell laptop. A couple people have said 'Do you really NEED a Mac?', and the answer is no, not really. Boyfriend has talked to some computer guys at work, and they recommend Dell's for business, and HP's for personal use.
Edited by kady05, Feb 15 2009, 12:44 PM.
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